New Jersey
What are the best states in the nation for 2025? See where New Jersey ranks
These eight products are made in New Jersey: Video
The Garden State is known for industry — and it produces plenty of products that we use on a daily basis.
Residents of the Garden State all have their reasons for living here. And while the state may have its quirks, many of us likely consider it to be one of the best places in the country.
As it turns out, we’re not too far off: New Jersey was named the 19th best state in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best States Ranking.
The ranking was based on how all 50 states performed in eight categories — education, health care, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime and corrections, and natural environment — using data from recent national surveys that asked more than 50,000 people to prioritize each issue in their respective states.
Each state also received individual rankings for each of these eight categories, as well as for key metrics within each of these categories.
Where New Jersey ranked in each category
The Garden State placed in the top half of the 50 states for four of the eight categories considered in the ranking. The state also received a first-place ranking in the report’s most heavily weighted category: education.
New Jersey earned its highest ranking — and the highest ranking in the nation — for education, coming in first out of all 50 states. The report said that this ranking is credited to the state’s performance in pre-K-12 education — specifically for preschool enrollment, standardized test scores and high school graduation rate, which far exceeds its performance in higher education.
“The top 3 states in the pre-K-12 subcategory (New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut) all find themselves in the bottom half of states for higher education,” the report reads. “Across the board, these three states rank in the bottom 10 for tuition and fees and debt at graduation.”
For health care, New Jersey ranked fifth overall. The report said that this ranking is consistent with what was seen throughout the Northeast, especially when it comes to public health.
The state also placed highly for both crimes and corrections (No. 10) and infrastructure (No. 12), and moderately for natural environment (No. 28) and economy (No. 31). But on the other end, New Jersey ranked poorly for opportunity (No. 45) and fiscal stability (No. 49) because of the state’s overall lack of affordability.
What are the five best, and worst, states in the nation?
Utah was named the overall best state in the nation, ranking in the top 20 for seven of the eight categories, according to the report. New Hampshire, Idaho, Minnesota and Nebraska made up the remaining top five states.
On the other end, Louisiana ranked 50th overall and is considered to be the worst state in the nation, according to the report. Alaska, Mississippi, New Mexico and West Virginia also ranked in the report’s bottom five states.
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.
New Jersey
NJ Lottery Pick-3, Pick-4, Cash 5, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for Sunday, April 19
The New Jersey Lottery offers multiple draw games for people looking to strike it rich.
Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:
Pick-3
Midday: 8-7-3, Fireball: 9
Evening: 5-0-8, Fireball: 0
Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick-4
Midday: 4-7-7-9, Fireball: 9
Evening: 5-9-7-8, Fireball: 0
Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Jersey Cash 5
20-25-35-38-45, Xtra: 35
Check Jersey Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Quick Draw
Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.
Cash Pop
Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the New Jersey Lottery drawings held?
- Pick-3: 12:59 p.m. and 10:57 p.m. daily.
- Pick-4: 12:59 p.m. and 10:57 p.m. daily.
- Jersey Cash 5: 10:57 p.m. daily.
- Pick-6: 10:57 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a New Jersey Sr Breaking News Editor. You can send feedback using this form.
New Jersey
The Maple House Is Planning To Open In Two Locations In New Jersey This Year
Is there anything better than going out for breakfast? I mean, sure, you can make bacon, eggs, and toast at home, but there’s just something relaxing about going out to a Jersey Diner and getting your coffee in a plain white mug, looking over a massive menu, and feeling the back of your legs stick to the pleather booth.
Jersey loves a good breakfast spot.
A New Breakfast Chain Is Coming To NJ, With 2 Locations Planned
And there’s a new breakfast chain getting ready to open two locations in New Jersey that promise an elevated breakfast experience, which could be perfect for your next brunch.
And this new elevated breakfast concept is being run by a mother-son duo, who don’t love seeing that?
The Maple House Is Coming Soon To New Jersey
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According to NJ.com, Monmouth County natives Anthony DeGrande and his mother, Lisa Dalton, are the brains behind Monmouth County’s newest breakfast place, The Maple House.
The Maple House will specialize in an elevated breakfast experience, whipping up menu items such as cookie butter pancakes, a braised short rib melt, and addictive salads. The Maple House will be a great new addition to the New Jersey breakfast scene.
The Maple House Is Planning 2 NJ Locations
The Maple House already has big expansion plans, too. The first location is getting ready to open sometime in May off Oceanport Avenue in Fort Monmouth, but there are already plans in place for a second location.
The Maple House also plans on debuting in Neptune, off of South Main Street, in the near future as well.
18 Best Places In New Jersey To Get A Pork Roll Egg And Cheese Sandwich
It’s called Pork Roll, first off, and these are the 18 best restaurants and delis. and diners to get a PEC in the Garden State
Gallery Credit: Buehler
New Jersey
Nearby shooting interrupts 13-year-old’s birthday party in Paterson; 1 killed, 3 injured
PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
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